SolFed and IWW [Archive]

Pogue

7th April 2009, 20:25

This question is focused on anarchists, specifically anarcho-syndicalists but it also applies to left communists and anyone else with an interest.

Put simply, do you think with regards to the tactics of each of these, its either one or the other, or are the ideas reconcilable?

Pogue

8th April 2009, 18:35

bump

Invincible Summer

9th April 2009, 08:55

I don't really understand the question. I suppose it could do with the fact that I'm not familiar w/ the SolFed.

Cult of Reason

9th April 2009, 09:00

I do not think there are any active RevLeft members in SolFed. If you ask at anarchistblackcat.org you may get an answer.

Forward Union

9th April 2009, 12:14

As i've said, they have completely different views on what a Union should consist of, and one is a union, and one is not.

The Idler

9th April 2009, 12:31

SolFed is a political "party" (or group if you prefer), IWW is a trade union. Both are anarcho-syndicalist so I can't see any issues with co-operation unlike for instance with anarcho-communist groups such as the Anarchist Federation (AFED).

revolution inaction

9th April 2009, 12:38

several solfed members post on libcom.org you could ask there. But your questions is kind of vague

x359594

9th April 2009, 15:37

...IWW is a trade union....

Strickly speaking the IWW is not a trade union. Departments in the IWW are organized by industry and not by trade. The IWW describes itself as an industrial union.

Forward Union

9th April 2009, 22:44

thejambo1

10th April 2009, 06:18

i think this discussion should be put to bed. solfed are not a union while iww are a union. and the levellers standard is correct iww are in no way an anarchist union, plenty of anarchists are in it but plenty of non-anarchists are in it too.

Devrim

10th April 2009, 08:28

Strickly speaking the IWW is not a trade union. Departments in the IWW are organized by industry and not by trade. The IWW describes itself as an industrial union.

Strictly speaking the trade unions aren't really trade unions any more either. When I was a child there were many small craft and trade based unions, but most of them have been merged into what are much more like industrial unions.

I think in general that the whole industrial union vs trade union argument is at least if not dead lying on its death bed.

Trade union is just the word that is used in English. I think it covers 'industrial' unions too.

The real thing is that in England the IWW is not a trade union except in the desires of some of its members. It has no organised shops, and the only place it had one led to it allowing bosses to join unions and itself getting dragged into a faction fight between two different leftist tendencies under the guise of an industrial dispute.

Devrim

Forward Union

10th April 2009, 15:44

The real thing is that in England the IWW is not a trade union except in the desires of some of its members. It has no organised shops,

Yes it does. But not many. This has been recognised by the BiROC and almost all our organising efforts are geared toward combatting this.

and the only place it had one led to it allowing bosses to join unions

Citation needed. Are you refering to the Printing press in birmingham? because if so that's completely wrong, there are no bosses in that branch. The Cinema in Sheffield? Wrong again. I am nto sure which area you are refering to.

and itself getting dragged into a faction fight between two different leftist tendencies under the guise of an industrial dispute.

?

Devrim

10th April 2009, 18:35

Yes it does. But not many. This has been recognised by the BiROC and almost all our organising efforts are geared toward combatting this.

The IWW currently has no formal workplace contracts in the UK.

Citation needed. Are you refering to the Printing press in birmingham? because if so that's completely wrong, there are no bosses in that branch. The Cinema in Sheffield? Wrong again. I am nto sure which area you are refering to.

I am referring to the Scottish parliament branch.

Devrim

Forward Union

11th April 2009, 15:40

I am referring to the Scottish parliament branch.

Devrim

The wikipedia article is wrong/ out of date.

Devrim

12th April 2009, 05:26

The wikipedia article is wrong/ out of date.

Am not sure what you are referring to here. Are you saying that there are 'formal workplace contracts'? If so where? Or are you saying that the Scottish parliament branch didn't include bosses?

Devrim